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| TPWD News Releases Dated 2010-11-02 |
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[ Note: This item is more than four years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.texas.gov ] [TH]
Nov. 2, 2010
TPWD Postpones Devils River Land Acquisition
AUSTIN - Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission consideration of a proposal to buy land for a new state park or natural area on the Devils River has been postponed, pending the outcome of a public briefing to the commission's Conservation Committee tomorrow.
"This is unquestionably the right and responsible course of action," said Carter Smith, TPWD executive director. "We have heard loudly and clearly from trusted partners, stakeholders, and many interested citizens, many of whom have requested more time to consider this project. Quite simply, we have an obligation to our constituents, who maintain appropriately high expectations about the level of public engagement needed before a decision of this magnitude is reached. We will not compromise that public trust and have advised our commission of the importance of deferring formal action on this proposal."
The proposal was originally on the commission agenda for both Nov. 3 and 4. But the topic has now been pulled from the Nov. 4 full commission agenda. It will be discussed in executive session and during a public briefing tomorrow to the commission's Conservation Committee, which will meet along with other committees starting at 9 a.m. Such committee work sessions are not set up to take to take public comments, but TPWD is continuing to accept comments pending full commission action.
Depending on the outcome of tomorrow's commission briefing, the department is ready to set more public meetings about the project in coming weeks. These would be similar to previous meetings about the proposal held Oct. 20 in Del Rio and Oct. 26 in San Antonio.
The proposal would result in the exchange of the existing Devils River State Natural Area as partial payment for a privately owned ranch downriver, which would become a new state park or natural area. The department has compiled maps, photos, questions and answers, conservation easement documents and other resources to explain the complex project in a Devils River Land Acquisition News Roundup on its website.
Questions or comments about the proposal can be sent by email to ted.hollingsworth@tpwd.texas.gov or by regular mail to Ted Hollingsworth, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744.
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On the Net:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/news_roundup/devils_river_land_acquisition/
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[ Note: This item is more than four years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references. ]
[ General Media Contact: Business Hours, 512-389-4406 ]
[ Additional Contacts: Rob McCorkle, TPWD, (830) 866-3533 or robert.mccorkle@tpwd.texas.gov; Shelly Plante, TPWD, (512) 389-4500 or shelly.plante@tpwd.texas.gov ]
Nov. 2, 2010
New Texas Paddling Trail to Open in Seguin
SEGUIN - The 22nd Texas Paddling Trail will open on Wednesday, Nov. 10, along a two-mile stretch of the scenic Guadalupe River. City officials and representatives of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will gather at the concrete dock in Max Starcke Park for a 5:15 p.m. ceremony dedicating the new Seguin Paddling Trail.
Max Starcke Park on City Lake has been designated the trail's put-in and take-out spot for the new paddling trail, eliminating the need for a shuttle. Due to the river's being dammed at Starcke Park, the slow current allows for kayakers and canoeists to paddle two miles upstream to the Texas Highway 46 bridge and back to complete the four-mile trail. The trip will take one to three hours depending on the time spent on the river, water level, flow rate and wind speed.
An informational kiosk erected in the park, which opened in 1938 on 227 acres of a former pecan orchard, provides details about the paddling trail's unique features. This two-mile section of the Guadalupe River, lined by large pecan, green ash and sycamore trees, affords paddlers excellent birding and fishing opportunities. TPWD partnered with the City of Seguin's Parks and Recreation Department to develop the paddling trail.
Canoe and kayak rentals are available through outfitters in nearby New Braunfels and San Marcos.
The Texas Paddling Trails program, which began in 1998, helps promote habitat conservation through sustainable economic development, while providing additional recreational opportunities to the public. More Americans paddle (canoe, kayak or raft) than play soccer, making it one of the fastest-growing nature tourism experiences.
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On the Net:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/
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